Oral Hepatitis C Treatments: The Evolving Landscape

What is Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)?

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) - a blood-borne infectious disease and a leading cause of chronic liver disease - has been at the center of a rapidly evolving treatment regimen. HCV can damage the liver over time, leading to scarring, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death. To complicate matters, symptoms of HCV may not appear for 20 to 30 years after infection, so the disease may develop quietly for decades.

Roughly 30% of those infected with HCV will eventually develop cirrhosis. Older treatment options for HCV were plagued by:

lack of an all-oral regimen

unpleasant side effects with interferon agents

long treatment times often over 1 year.

Newer oral treatment regimens - Sovaldi, Olysio, Harvoni, Daklinza, Zepatier, Epclusa, Vosevi, and Mavyret - aim to be more tolerable with shorter treatment times - some as short as 8 or 12 weeks.

HCV: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Some people with HCV may have acute symptoms for up to 3 months that might include:

yellow-colored skin or eye sclera (jaundice)

weakness

fatigue

poor appetite

nausea and stomach pain.

Longer-term (chronic) symptoms may include weight loss, poor appetite, feeling tired, and painful joints. Fifteen to twenty percent of people may eliminate the HCV virus completely from their body, but most people remain infected and develop chronic hepatitis C.

Diagnosis involves a blood test and to determine the subtypes (genotypes) of HCV. It is important to know the genotypes to select the correct treatment.

In some patients, a liver biopsy is required. In those who eventually develop cirrhosis (scarring disease of the liver), symptoms may include stomach swelling, easy bruising, difficulty breathing, jaundice, and confusion. About 5% to 20% of HCV patients will develop cirrhosis over a period of 20 to 30 years.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection: How Do You Get It?

HCV is transmitted through contact with infected blood -- mainly by:

sharing needles or devices during drug abuse

from an accidental needle stick

renal dialysis

from mother to child during childbirth

less commonly from contaminated tattoo or body piercing equipment

less commonly from haring personal care items comtaminated with HCV+ blood, such as razors or toothbrushes

less commonly from from unprotected sexual intercourse or blood transfusions.

If you were born from 1945 through 1965, or otherwise are at increased risk for HCV infection, speak to your doctor about being tested for HCV.

About 1 to 5 out of every 100 people with HCV in the U.S. will die each year due to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The Different Genotypes for Hepatitis C Virus

There are six different genotypes for HCV. A genotype classification is based on the genetic material in the RNA viral strands. Generally, patients are only infected with one genotype, but genotypes can mutate quickly and become drug resistant.

Effectiveness of drugs vary based on which HCV strain a patient may be infected with -- for example:

Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), approved as the first all-oral regimen in 2013, can be combined with ribavirin to treat genotypes 2 and 3; add peginterferon alfa and genotypes 1 and 4 can be treated.

Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) was approved in 2014 as the first all-oral, ribavirin and interferon-free treatment. It can be used for Genotype 1, the most common subgroup, occurring in roughly 70% of infected patients, as well and types 4, 5 and 6. Ribavirin may need to be added in certain patients with liver dysfunction.

Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) was approved for all 6 major genotypes in June 2016.

Gilead's Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir) was given the FDA clearance in July 2017 as a re-treatment option, also for all 6 genotypes in certain populations.

In August of 2017, Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) from AbbVie was also approved for all 6 genotypes.

What's Involved With An HCV Diagnosis?

Discuss your risk factors for hepatitis C infection with your healthcare provider. Drug abuse and having a blood transfusion prior to 1992 may have put you at risk, but there are other risks factors, too.

Hepatitis C screening starts with a blood test to look for viral antibodies. HCV antibodies can be detected in the blood within 2 to 3 months after infection. If this test is positive, a confirmatory blood test would be ordered. An HCV viral load may be ordered to determine your chances for responding to treatment. In addition, HCV genotyping can help to guide the best treatment option and duration.

Your doctor may also order liver function tests - AST, ALT and GGT tests - to monitor the health of your liver.

A liver biopsy, usually performed as an outpatient surgical procedure, may be needed to determine the level of liver damage.

What Were the Standard HCV Treatments?

The standard treatments for HCV in the past have included injectable interferon, oral ribavirin and one of the protease inhibitors, such as Vertex's Incivek (telaprevir) or Merck's Victrelis (boceprevir) -- both now discontinued off of the U.S. market.

Adherence with interferon and ribavirin regimens due to side effects can be an issue. Interferon and ribavirin are given for 6 to 12 months and can be difficult to tolerate due to side effects such as:

flu-like symptoms

anemia

depression.

In addition, this regimen is not always effective for the hard-to-treat and most common genotype 1 infections.

Research and recommendations are rapidly changing in the area of chronic HCV, and for many patients these older treatments are no longer required.

You should always seek the most recent treatment advice from your doctor.

What Do Experts Suggest About Diagnosis and Treatment of HCV?

Both the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all "baby boomers" -- those born from 1945 to 1965 -- be tested for HCV.

This group of adults represents about 75% of all cases, but most are not currently diagnosed. People at high risk for the hepatitis C virus includes those with a history of IV drug use and those who received blood transfusions before 1992, but other risk factors exist.

Increased rates of screening and diagnosis will likely result in accelerated demand for treatments. New oral combination treatments for HCV are expected to result in HCV cures for most newly diagnosed patients.

All-Oral HCV Treatments

The new HCV oral treatments now on the market are capable of causing a sustained virologic response (SVR), which means the virus is no longer detectable and the 80 to 100 percent of patients can be cured, sometimes after only 12 weeks of treatment. However, resistance can develop; therefore, two or more oral HCV drugs will be used together to help prevent resistance.

Side effect profiles are more tolerable than interferon, with fatigue and headache are the most common side effects with many of the direct-acting oral antivirals, like Sovaldi, Harvoni, Epclusa, and Vosevi.

How Does Sovaldi Work in Hepatitis C Virus?

Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), a nucleotide analogue inhibitor, acts as an imposter to trick the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Sovaldi blocks a polymerase enzyme that plays an essential role in HCV replication. The polymerase enzyme builds new RNA genomes (the complete viral hereditary information) so that the virus can replicate. Sovaldi slips into the RNA, which prevents the virus from growing because it does not recognize Sovaldi in the RNA.

Many of the newer oral agents are known as a direct-acting agents (DAA), meaning that they interfere directly with the HCV life cycle by suppressing viral replication.

Sovaldi and Harvoni, which is a combo drug that contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, are both given once-a-day.

What Evidence Supports the Sovaldi FDA-Approval?

Sovaldi’s effectiveness was evaluated in six clinical trials with 1,947 subjects. Patients had not previously received treatment for their disease or had not responded to previous treatment, including participants co-infected with HCV or HIV.

The trials were designed to measure whether HCV was no longer detected in the blood at least 12 weeks after treatment end (sustained virologic response), denoting HCV cure. The treatment regimen containing Sovaldi was effective in treating multiple genotypes of HCV.

Additionally, Sovaldi was effective in those who could not tolerate or take an interferon-based treatment regimen and in participants with liver cancer awaiting transplantation, addressing unmet medical needs.

History Made: Sovaldi and Harvoni

In October 25, 2013 the FDA Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of Gilead's sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) for chronic HCV genotypes 1-4. The FDA announced final approval of Sovaldi on December 6, 2013. Historically, Gilead's Sovaldi sales surpassed $10 billion in 2014, a record for any previous brand name launch at that time.

However, newer approvals have put pressure on sales of these original oral Hep C agents. Since the approval of Sovaldo and Harvoni, 6 additional oral HCV treatments have been approved.

New indications for the older drugs may be helpful for sales: in April 2017 the FDA approved both Sovaldi and Harvoni for treatment of certain HCV genotypes in pediatric patients 12 years and older.

Safety and Effectiveness for Sovaldi, Harvoni

In clinical trials evaluating interferon-free treatment regimens designed for genotype 3 HCV patients with and without cirrhosis, the most common Sovaldi side effects occurring in ≥10 percent of patients were:

headache

fatigue

itching

asthenia (lack of energy)

nausea.

Some of these adverse events were consistent with the safety profile of ribavirin, such as fatigue, nausea, and headache.

However, study results with ribavirin-free treatment regimens using the all-oral sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir (Harvoni) have shown cure rates in 94% to 99% of patients within 12 to 24 weeks. Once-daily dosing, no ribavirin or interferon side effects, and potentially fewer doctor visits are major advantages to ribavirin-free HCV regimens.

Olysio Approved

Olysio, a protease inhibitor, is a once-a-day, 150 milligram oral capsule. Olysio is not used as a single drug (monotherapy).

Olysio was originally FDA-approved in 2013 for HCV genotype 1 infected adults with compensated liver disease (a diseased liver that is still functioning), including cirrhosis, who are treatment naïve (not received prior HCV therapy) or who are treatment experienced (previous treatment has not been effective). Olysio is also approved to also treat genotypes 1 or 4 AND patients with genotype 1 and co-infected with HIV.

Treatments regimens vary based on patient characteristics. The all-oral Olysio plus Sovaldi regimen for HCV genotype 1 is given for either 12 weeks (without cirrhosis) or 24 weeks (with cirrhosis).

In studies, common side effects for the two-drug regimen included fatigue, headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, and itching.

How Does Olysio Work in HCV?

Janssen’s Olysio is a second generation NS3/4A protease inhibitor. Olysio (simeprevir) works by blocking the protease enzyme that enables the hepatitis C virus to replicate in host cells. The NS3 protease and its associated cofactor NS4A process proteins that are essential for viral replication.

Olysio is given in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin or with sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) for the treatment of genotype 1 or 4 in adults. It is taken once daily with food.

What Evidence Supports the FDA-Approval of Olysio?

In HCV-1 trials for simeprevir (QUEST-1, QUEST-2) treatment-naive patients were able to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR) 12 weeks after treatment - (a cure) - in 80% of patients compared to 50% who received placebo. In PROMISE, 79% of prior-relapsed patients in the simeprevir group achieved SVR12 compared to 37 percent in the placebo group.

Results from ASPIRE demonstrated that use of Olysio led to SVR24 in 65 percent of prior partial-responders and 53 percent of prior-null responders compared to 9% and 19% in the placebo groups, respectively.

The Olysio plus Sovaldi once-daily combo - for use in interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens for genotype 1 - was FDA-approved in 2014.

Safety Concerns: Olysio

Severe rashes and skin reactions to sunlight may occur in patients treated with Olysio plus peginterferon and ribavirin. These skin reactions occur most frequently in the first 4 weeks of treatment. There is also the possibility for multiple drug interactions and patients should have a doctor or pharmacist review their medication profiles.

Due to the possibility of birth defects, females and males must use two effective forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment with Olysio, peginterferon alfa, and ribavirin combination therapy. Itching and nausea are other common side effects that may occur with Olysio.

Costs of New HCV Treatments: How Will They Be Sustained?

HCV healthcare costs in the U.S. may surpass $9 billion annually by 2024. Insurance companies have reported that the cost figures double for an HCV patient compared to a non-HCV patient. Added costs with ongoing HCV infection involve treatment of liver disease, liver cancer, and/or needs for a liver transplant.

Prices can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy and over time, but many agents range from $70,000 to $98,000 per 12-week regimen. Cost can be much higher if longer treatment regimens are required or if there is a need to combine with other antivirals. However, the latest player, Mavyret from AbbVie, is expected to top out at a cost of $26,400, a significant discount for an 8-week regimen indicated in all 6 genotypes.

Treatment availability for patients is also a major concern with newer HCV treatments. Some insurance companies are pushing back to treat only patients with advanced liver disease with the newer agents; lawsuits have been filed disputing the ethics of these policies. Plus, lower-cost oral biosimilars for HCV won't appear for many years in the U.S. However, continued growth and competition in the HCV marketplace may help to lower drug prices and push more affordable drugs to the top of the formulary.

Latest Approvals in HCV

Zepatier (elbasvir and grazoprevir)
In January 2016 the FDA approved Zepatier from Merck. Zepatier is a once-daily oral NS5A inhibitor (elbasvir) and NS3/4A protease inhibitor (grazoprevir) fixed-dose combination, used with or without ribavirin, for the treatment of HCV genotypes 1 and 4. In studies, sustained virologic response at 12 weeks ranged from 94 to 97 percent in genotype 1 and from 97 to 100 percent in genotype 4-infected subjects. Common side effects may included headache, stomach upset, and tiredness.

Daklinza (daclatasvir)Daklinza, from Bristol-Myers Squibb, received FDA approval in July 2015. Daklinza, an oral NS5A inhibitor used with sofosbuvir for the treatment of HCV genotype 1 or 3, was the first drug approved to treat genotype 3 HCV without need for interferon or ribavirin. In studies, 98 percent of the treatment-naive participants with no liver cirrhosis achieved sustained virologic response (a cure) with Daklinza + sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. In Feb. 2016, the FDA approved Daklinza for treatment of genotype 1, in addition to genotype 3 HCV patients with:

HIV-1 coinfection

advanced cirrhosis

post-liver transplant recurrence of HCV.

Other Oral Combo Approvals

Viekira Pak, Viekira XR
Viekira Pak from AbbVie was approved in December 2014. It's used for treatment of genotype 1a and 1b HCV in patients with or without cirrhosis. Viekira Pak contains an oral NS5A inhibitor (ombitasvir), NS3/4A protease inhibitor (paritaprevir), and CYP3A inhibitor (ritonavir) combination co-packaged with a non-nucleoside NS5B palm polymerase inhibitor (dasabuvir). Viekira Pak is not used in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Single tablet Viekira XR, containing all 4 ingredients, was approved in July 2016.

TechnivieTechnivie was FDA-approved in July 2015. It's an NS5A inhibitor (ombitasvir), NS3/4A protease inhibitor (paritaprevir), and CYP3A inhibitor (ritonavir) fixed-dose combination used with ribavirin. The Technivie plus ribavirin regimen is a 12-week regimen approved for genotype 4 HCV infections without the need for interferon. Technivie should not be used in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment.

HCV Treatments: Epclusa

In June 2016 the FDA gave the go-ahead to Gilead's Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir), a nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor and pan-genotypic NS5A inhibitor fixed-dose combination for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults. Epclusa was the first direct-acting antiviral to target all the major HCV genotypes 1 through 6, with or without cirrhosis.

In studies, 95 to 99 percent of Epclusa-treated patients without cirrhosis or with mild cirrhosis had no virus detected in the blood 12 weeks after finishing the 12-week regimen. In patients with moderate to severe cirrhosis, some of whom required ribavirin, 94 percent were cleared of the virus 12 weeks after finishing treatment. The most common side effects of Epclusa include headache and tiredness. Epclusa is given once-daily in an oral, fixed-dose combination.

In August 2017, the FDA also approved Epclusa to be used for the treatment of chronic HCV in patients co-infected with HIV.

Vosevi: Another Pan-Genotypic Direct-Acting Antiviral

In July 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the go-ahead to Gilead’s Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir) for retreatment of adults with chronic HCV of two types:

Genotype 1a or 4 previously treated with a sofosbuvir regimen without an NS5A inhibitor

Vosevi is used in patients without liver disease (cirrhosis) or with compensated cirrhosis who were not successfully treated with other HCV drugs.

In studies, 96 to 97 percent of patients who received Vosevi had no virus detected 12 weeks after treatment ended, suggesting that infections were cured (a sustained virologic response - SVR12).

Common side effects include headache, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea.

Mavyret Approved: A Pan-Genotypic 8 Week Regimen

In August of 2017, the FDA approved AbbVie's Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir), the first 8 week treatment approved for all hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (1-6) in adult patients without cirrhosis (liver disease) who have not been previously treated. Glecaprevir inhibits NS3/4A protease and pibrentasvir inhibits HCV NS5A.

Adult patients with HCV genotype 1 infection, who previously have been treated with a regimen containing an HCV NS5A inhibitor or an NS3/4A protease inhibitor, but not both.

Mavyret is a fixed-dose combination given as 3 tablets taken once daily with food (total dose per day is glecaprevir 300 mg and pibrentasvir 120 mg). Treatment durations range from 8 to 16 weeks based on HCV genotype, treatment history, and cirrhosis status. It is contraindicated in patients taking the drugs atazanavir and rifampin.

Studies demonstrated that 92 to 100 percent of patients had no virus detected in the blood 12 weeks after finishing treatment, suggesting a cure.

HBV Concerns with Direct-Acting Antivirals

In October 2016, FDA warned of 24 cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HCV/HBV co-infected patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) -- such as Harvoni, Epclusa and Viekira -- from November 2013 to July 2016. Because of this concern, Boxed Warnings and consumer documents were update to include the risk of HBV reactivation on all DAA labels.

Providers should screen and monitor for evidence of current or prior HBV in all patients receiving DAA treatment, and monitor patients using blood tests for HBV flare-ups or reactivation during treatment and post-treatment follow-up. Patients should tell their doctor of any history of hepatitis B infection or other liver problems before being treated for hepatitis C. They should not stop taking their hepatitis medicine without first talking to their doctor.

Plus, the ACIP guidelines now recommend a hepatitis B vaccine for patients with HCV and chronic liver disease.

HCV: Now and Later

It was only in 2012 that standard treatment involved a combination of injectable interferon and ribavirin. This regimen that was curative in only about 50% of patients, took one-half year to complete, and often failed due to intolerable side effects. Since then, HCV regimens have evolved immensely.

Treatment options have grown. The length of treatment varies from 8 to 24 weeks depending upon factors such as:

patient liver function

genotypes and infection subtypes

resistance testing

whether the patient is treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced.

For many regimens and patients, interferon and ribavirin-free, once-daily single pills are the norm. Cure rates for these new regimens range between 80% and 100%, and shorter pan-genotypic treatment regimens, even for 8 weeks, are now approved.

However, cost and insurance coverage can be a barrier in the U.S. Patients should always contact their insurance company to see which HCV agents are covered under their plan, and speak to their doctor about changing treatment guidelines, pricing and coverage, too.

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Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 May 2019), Cerner Multum™ (updated 2 May 2019), Wolters Kluwer™ (updated 1 May 2019) and others.